Note 2016:The MCIP site is no longer being updated and is maintained as an archive. For the latest on Vasalgel, please see Parsemus Foundation, and for updates on male contraception development and advocacy, please visit the dynamic new organization Male Contraception Initiative.

Quotes you can use

The following quotations may be reproduced freely, attributed to Elaine Lissner, Director of the Male Contraception Information Project:

“Men are already using the only two contraceptives they have — condoms and vasectomy — in great numbers. At least in the United States, the idea that men aren’t willing to participate is clearly out of date.”

“We used to talk about men ‘sharing the burden’ of contraception — but these days, many men talk about wanting ‘control.’ Men want to control their own destinies.“

“Vasectomy is permanent, and condoms are not foolproof. A reversible, reliable long-term method would meet a big need.”

“Hormones affect everything from A to Z: acne, appetite, blood pressure, breast tenderness, chlamydia sensitivity, cholesterol, diabetes risk, depression, and so on. We don’t need to run that experiment again on men — we can do better.”

“Several promising nonhormonal methods are in the pipeline. Study volunteers have been using one of them for more than a decade.”

“In wealthier countries, a new contraceptive would improve the quality of life. But in developing countries, an affordable, reliable contraceptive would actually save lives.“

“In many countries, one in eight or nine women dies in childbirth. We know that birth spacing could keep many of those women alive. Yet we delude ourselves by thinking that condoms are enough — in parts of Africa, for example, donor aid provides fewer than two condoms per year per man. Long-term methods need to be part of the picture too.”

“To men, an ideal method would be cheap and long-lasting. To company shareholders, an ideal method would be expensive and temporary.“

“Pharmaceutical companies have no incentive to develop a cheap long-lasting method, and we can’t expect them to take the lead. Men will get one if, and only if, they demand it of their governments.”